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know one's onions

on·ion
K k

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [uhn-yuh n]
    • /noʊ wʌnz ˈʌn yənz/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [uhn-yuh n]
    • /noʊ wʌnz ˈʌn yənz/

Definitions of know one's onions words

  • noun know one's onions a plant, Allium cepa, of the amaryllis family, having an edible, succulent, pungent bulb. 1
  • noun know one's onions any of certain similar plants. 1
  • noun know one's onions the bulb of the onion plant. 1
  • noun know one's onions the flavor or odor of this bulb. 1
  • noun know one's onions Slang. a person: He's a tough onion. 1
  • adjective know one's onions containing or cooked with onions: onion soup. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of know one's onions

First appearance:

before 1325
One of the 16% oldest English words
1325-75; Middle English onyon < Old French oignon < Latin ūniōn- (stem of ūniō) a unity, large pearl, onion; see union

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Know one's onions

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

know one's onions popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 89% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

Synonyms for know one's onions

adj know one's onions

  • skilled — having skill; trained or experienced in work that requires skill.
  • effective — adequate to accomplish a purpose; producing the intended or expected result: effective teaching methods; effective steps toward peace.
  • capable — If a person or thing is capable of doing something, they have the ability to do it.
  • efficient — (esp. of a system or machine) Achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense.
  • responsible — answerable or accountable, as for something within one's power, control, or management (often followed by to or for): He is responsible to the president for his decisions.

Antonyms for know one's onions

adj know one's onions

  • impotent — not potent; lacking power or ability.
  • incapable — not capable.
  • ineffective — not effective; not producing results; ineffectual: ineffective efforts; ineffective remedies.
  • incompetent — not competent; lacking qualification or ability; incapable: an incompetent candidate.
  • unable — lacking the necessary power, competence, etc., to accomplish some specified act: He was unable to swim.

See also

Matching words

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